Circulating Tumor Dna Sequencing Of Pediatric Solid And Brain Tumor Patients: An Institutional Feasibility Study, Ross Mangum, Jacquelyn Reuther, Koel Sen Baksi, Ilavarasi Gandhi, Ryan C Zabriskie, Alva Recinos, Robin Raesz-Martinez, Frank Y Lin, Samara L Potter, Andrew C Sher, Stephen F Kralik, Carrie A Mohila, Murali M Chintagumpala, Donna Muzny, Jianhong Hu, Richard A Gibbs, Kevin E Fisher, Juan Carlos Bernini, Jonathan Gill, Timothy C Griffin, Gail E Tomlinson, Kelly L Vallance, Sharon E Plon, Angshumoy Roy, D Williams Parsons

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

The potential of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) analysis to serve as a real-time "liquid biopsy" for children with central nervous system (CNS) and non-CNS solid tumors remains to be fully elucidated. We conducted a study to investigate the feasibility and potential clinical utility of ctDNA sequencing in pediatric patients enrolled on an institutional clinical genomics trial. A total of 240 patients had tumor DNA profiling performed during the study period. Plasma samples were collected at study enrollment from 217 patients and then longitudinally from a subset of patients. Successful cell-free DNA extraction and quantification occurred in 216 of 217 (99.5%) …

A Systematic Review Of Treatments For Misophonia, Seth A Mattson, Johann D'Souza, Katharine D Wojcik, Andrew G Guzick, Wayne K Goodman, Eric A Storch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Research into misophonia treatments has been limited and it is unclear what treatment approaches may be effective. This systematic review extracted and synthesized relevant treatment research on misophonia to examine the efficacy of various intervention modalities and identify current trends in order to guide future treatment research. PubMed, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Central were searched 4using the keywords "misophonia," "decreased sound tolerance," "selective sound sensitivity," or "decreased sound sensitivity." Of the 169 records available for initial screening, 33 studied misophonia treatment specifically. Data were available for one randomized controlled trial, one open label trial, and 31 case studies. Treatments …

Corticosteroid-Laba Inhalers Increase Phonation Threshold Pressure (Ptp) And Flow (Ptf) In Rabbits, Christopher Dromey, Kristine Tanner, Heidi J. Robison, Maya Elena Stevens, Ray M. Merrill, Julie Barkmeier-Kraemer, Ben Christensen

Faculty Publications

Objectives: This study examined the effects of a combination corticosteroid plus long-acting beta2-adrenergic agonist inhaler (IC) on rabbit phonation. Methods: White New Zealand male rabbits were assigned randomly to experimental and control groups (n = 11 per group). The experimental group received twice-daily doses of Advair HFA™ (fluticasone propionate 45 mcg and salmeterol 21 mcg) via a veterinary facemask with 1-way valve and spacer; the control group received aerosolized saline. After 8 weeks, animals were euthanized, larynges excised, frozen, and subsequently thawed and mounted on a standard bench apparatus. Phonation was elicited during 15 successive trials, and phonation threshold pressure …

Teaching Non-Native Sound Contrasts Using Visual Biofeedback, Shawn L. Nissen

Faculty Publications

This demonstration will explain how non-native sound contrasts can be taught to second language (L2) learners using real-time visual biofeedback through an electropalatographic (EPG) sensor. How the EPG sensor is created from a dental mold and is subsequently produced will be shown during the presentation. An explanation of how a student can visualize the contact patterns of their speech and how a tutor might use the various features of the associated software to customize the instruction to an individual speaker will be illustrated during the presentation. Possible limitations, costs, and drawbacks to using the technology will also be discussed.

Similar Overall Expression, But Different Profiles, Of Autistic Traits, Sensory Processing, And Mental Health Between Young Adult Males And Females, Garrett Cardon

Faculty Publications

Recent trends suggest that autism is more common in females than traditionally held. Additionally, some argue that females express autistic traits differently than males. Dimensional views of autism could shed light on these issues, especially with regards to understudied behavioral areas, such as sensory processing. We examined autistic traits, sensory processing, anxiety, and related behaviors in a large sample of neurotypical young adult males and females (n = 1122; 556 female; ages 19–26). Participants completed an online survey containing questionnaires related to the above. Between groups statistical analyses, as well as within groups correlations and mediation analyses containing these constructs …

Uncertainty, Sensory Processing, And Stress In Autistic Children During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Garrett Cardon, Mollie Bradley

Faculty Publications

Background: COVID-19 increased uncertainty for most and was especially disruptive to autistic people and their families, due in part to tendencies toward intolerance for uncertainty across this population. As such, COVID presented a natural experiment of uncertainty and its correlates in autism. Previous reports have shown associations between intolerance of uncertainty, sensory difficulty, and stress. Aims: We investigated changes in sensory difficulties and stress associated with COVID-related increases in uncertainty. Methods and procedures: Primary caregivers of 47 autistic children (ages 6–15) completed online surveys containing questions about demographics, experiences, and supports received during the pandemic. Additionally, caregivers filled out measures …

Daily Rehabilitative Therapy For High-Risk Patients Leads To A Decrease In Post-Acute Rehab Discharges, Kelsey Bacon Pt, Dpt, Carlene Mull Ms, Otr/L, Daniel Sawyer Pt, Dpt, Michael Pechulis Pt, Dpt

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Prosthetic Training For A Patient With Bilateral Lower Limb Amputation: Can Therapy Frequency Impact Functional Outcomes?, Rebecca Kleintop Pt, Dpt, Helen Yiu Pt, Dpt, Ocs

Department of Medicine

No abstract provided.

Importance Of Complete Assessment In The Work-Up Of Late Onset Mania, Sarah Mullen, William Lyons

EMET Projects

A female, age 78, with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), history of major depression, and hypothyroidism presents for mood and anxiety concerns. Her mood is depressed, and sleep, appetite, energy, and concentration are poor. She recently saw a geriatric psychiatrist and described no past manic episodes, psychotic symptoms, or family history for bipolar disorder. No one has concerns about her cognition. She began levothyroxine 150 mcg 3 weeks ago for newly diagnosed hypothyroidism. On exam, she is talkative, overinclusive, has almost pressured speech, labile mood, and lid lag. Neuropsychology testing, CBC, and CMP are normal. TSH is 0.173. She is diagnosed …

Immunohistochemical Markers Of Temporomandibular Disorders: A Review Of The Literature, Luis Eduardo Almeida, Andrea Doetzer, Matthew L. Beck

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a group of internal derangements encompassing dysfunction, displacement, degeneration of the temporomandibular joints and surroundings muscles of mastication, often accompanied by pain. Relationships between TMD and various chemical biomarkers have been examined throughout the years. This paper aims to gather evidence from the literature regarding other biomarkers and presenting them as one systematic review to investigate the potential links between TMD and different biochemical activity. To identify relevant papers, a comprehensive literature search was carried out in MEDLINE/PubMED, EMBASE, Web of Science and a manual search was performed in the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial …

Optimization Of The Modular Reinforced Bone Scaffold For Customized Alveolar Bone Defects, Meisam Omidi, Luis Eduardo Almeida, Lobat Tayebi

School of Dentistry Faculty Research and Publications

A modular reinforced bone scaffold with enhanced mechanical properties has recently been developed by our group. It includes: 1) A load-bearing module: a skeleton which is made of a slowly degradable material, undertaking mechanical necessities of the scaffold, and 2) A bio-reactive module: a porous and biodegradable component undertaking biological necessities of the scaffold. The load-bearing module is placed into the bio-reactive module to reinforce it. This paper is dedicated to optimizing the load-bearing module for a certain customized alveolar bone defect. More specifically, a 3D-printed skeleton, made of polycaprolactone (PCL), is optimized based on the boundary conditions of the …

The Influence Of Decorin, A Potential Pro-Inflammatory Stimulant, On The Mechanical Properties Of The Annulus Fibrosus, Sabrina Sinopoli

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Previous literature has investigated the biomechanical properties of various animal models, but few have studied an isolated and intact rat tail annulus fibrosus. Decorin, a class 1 small leucine-rich protein (SLRP) has the potential to trigger an inflammatory environment as previous research has shown that it may stimulate inflammation via the toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway. An increased inflammatory environment can have biomechanical implications for the disc, and so the ability of decorin to stimulate an environment that alters the mechanical properties of the disc was investigated.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of decorin, a proteoglycan …

Ethical Dilemmas And Moral Distress In Companion Animal Veterinary Medicine: Mental Health Implications, Bronwyn Dickson

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Mental health concerns are a significant problem in the veterinary community, and studies suggest that veterinarians working in Western countries are at higher risk of suicide compared to the general population and other healthcare professionals (Bartram et al., 2009; Bartram & Baldwin, 2010; Platt et al., 2012). Additionally, veterinary medicine is an occupation inundated with complex ethical and moral dilemmas. However, current studies are limited in their ability to contextualize the risk and contributing factors fully; therefore, they offer limited insight into effective preventative and support strategies. Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), eight companion animal veterinarians were interviewed about their …

Association Between Objectively-Measured Sedentary Time And Self-Reported Prescription Medication Use Among Adults: A Pilot Study, Ciarra Ashley Boyne

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Prescription medication use and extended sedentary time are independently related to poor health outcomes (e.g., diabetes, metabolic syndrome, mortality). Historically, survey methods have been used to obtain estimates of total sedentary time (ST), however, recent use of accelerometers avoids self-report bias and affords more characteristics of ST that may be factors in health outcomes (e.g., frequency and duration of sedentary bouts). The aims of this pilot study were to 1) examine the association between objectively measured ST via accelerometers and self-reported prescription medication use in adults and 2) examine the independent association of sedentary bout length and frequency with …

Challenges Patients Face When Transitioning From The Hospital Into The Home Setting With An Enteral Feeding Tube & The Impact Of Staffing A Home Enteral Nutrition Registered Dietitian Case Manager, Najwa N. Worthen

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A Home Enteral Nutrition (HEN) case manager position was implemented within the Tampa Veteran’s Health System (VHS) to coordinate and ensure that the transition process from the hospital into the home setting with a new feeding tube transpires smoothly. The Knowledgeto-Action (KTA) theoretical framework was used in this quality improvement project to incorporate a systematic step-by-step process to transition evidence into practice, and assess the effectiveness as well as the sustainability of maintaining a HEN case manager position within the Tampa VHS. 1 In a repeated cross-sectional study design, HEN case management data Pre-Case Management, Post-Case Management with 1-RD case …

Nutrition Care For The Transgender Population: A Retrospective Study To Investigate Relationships Between The Nutrition Care Process Model And Patient Outcomes, Alana Minnee Marrero Gonzalez

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

One of the most important roles of the registered dietitian nutritionist is to provide medical nutrition therapy that is fitting to an individual’s culture, reality, ethnicity, and dietary preferences. A review of existing literature exposes the lack of information available on LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) health, for transgender communities. The purpose of this research was to generate knowledge of the nutrition-related problems and barriers to adequate nutrition and health, and their impact in nutrition assessment in a sample of Hispanic transgender adult patients living in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A retrospective observational study was conducted, data from 114 …

The Experiences Of Transgender And Gender Diverse Individuals Seeking Mental Health Treatment, Brice T. Marks

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Transgender and Gender Diverse (TGD) individuals are underserved in communities despite experiencing disproportionately higher rates of mental health distress. The cisheteronomativity of society creates chronic stressors that impact the mental health outcomes of TGD individuals. TGD individuals face the highest rates of discrimination in healthcare settings. Yet, little is known about the population's specific experiences seeking mental health care. Using a phenomenological approach, this study interviewed eight TGD individuals to understand the experience of seeking mental health care. There were six themes: facilitation of seeking behaviors, barriers, type of care, characteristics of providers, identity disclosure, and burden of advocacy and …

Walking The Talk: A Qualitative Exploration Of Gatekeeping Staff Perceptions Surrounding Implementation Of Nutrition Policy In Florida Food Banks, Rachel Lynn Mccandless

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Food insecurity is an independent risk factor for adverse health outcomes; providing nutrient-dense food through the emergency food system to individuals who regularly seek assistance can impact population-level health disparities. This research explored the extrinsic and intrinsic barriers and facilitators surrounding formal nutrition policy implementation as seen by the logistical gatekeepers in a sample of Feeding Florida food banks. A secondary aim of this research was to explore the change readiness of these same logistical decision-makers in nutrition policy implementation. Research Questions included the following: What are the critical gatekeeping staff perceptions of the barriers and facilitators to implementing formal …

Ovulation Prediction Using Random Forest Algorithm On Physiological Data, Kimberly D. Laynes

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Human infertility rates are on the rise -- studies have shown that one in every four women have trouble conceiving and every year those rates are rising [Halleran22]. This trend motivates procedures such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) to produce a pregnancy. Such procedures are not only intricate and expensive but also carry potential unintended consequences for women's physical and mental well-being. A more profound comprehension of the menstrual cycle and its multiple phases, particularly detecting the ovulation period itself, promotes optimized treatment outcomes and reduces associated risks. To facilitate ovulation detection, new sensing technologies built into …

The Impact Of A Face To Face Sports Nutrition Session On Athletes' Nutrition Knowledge And Disordered Eating Attitudes, Jill M. Snyder

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective of this study was to determine the impact of a face-to-face nutrition education session on college athletes’ nutrition knowledge and disordered eating attitudes. One hundred and thirteen student athletes attended a 60-minute face to face education session related to sports nutrition and disordered eating, created by a registered dietitian. One hundred and three athletes completed the pre and post surveys to determine nutrition knowledge and disorder eating attitudes. A paired t test determined the sports nutrition knowledge post test scores were higher than the pretest scores (M = 3.92, SE = .86), t (102) = -9.024, p …

Cognitive Challenge As A Probe To Expose Sex- And Age-Related Differences During Static Contractions, Hugo M. Pereira, Sandra K. Hunter

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Despite activities of daily living being frequently performed simultaneously with a cognitive task, motor function is often investigated in isolation, which can hinder the applicability of findings. This brief review presents evidence that 1) performing a cognitive challenge simultaneously with a motor task can negatively impact force steadiness and fatigability of limb muscles during a static contraction, 2) the negative impact on old adults (>65 years old), particularly older women is greater than young when a cognitive challenge is simultaneously performed with a static motor task, 3) age-related mechanisms potentially explain impairments in motor performance in the presence of …

“It’S About Being Healthy”; A Novel Approach To The Socio-Ecological Model Using Family Perspectives Within The Latinx Community, Bethany Korom, Meghan Malloy, Caroline Remmers, Mari Cevilla, Kelly Dione, Paula E. Papanek, Jeffrey Condit, David Nelson

Exercise Science Faculty Research and Publications

Background

The Latinx community is at risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic illnesses. Culturally appropriate, community facing physical activity (P.A.) and nutrition programs may provide the basis for families to improve their health status. Our objectives are as follows: 1. To investigate synergistic factors within this type of program that play a role in creating an environment for participants to learn and practice healthy behaviors. 2. To apply factors into a novel model of components that support health and wellness. 3. To design an intervention for future implementation and evaluation.

Methods

A two-year P.A. and nutrition program, …

The Nih-Moderna Vaccine: Public Science, Private Profit, And Lessons For The Future, Christopher J. Morten

Faculty Scholarship

This commentary highlights the scientific history of the NIH-Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and corroborates Sarpatwari’s theme of private capture of value created by the public. The commentary also identifies missteps by the Trump and Biden Administrations and offers policy recommendations: better contracts with and incentives for pharmaceutical manufacturers and a not-for-profit “public option” for pharmaceutical development.

The Rise And Fall Of A Reproductive Right: Dobbs V. Jackson Women’S Health Organization, Carol Sanger

Faculty Scholarship

Although the phrase “Post-Roe Era” is still used by those who want to underscore the loss wrought last June by Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, it is only a matter of time before the present state of reproductive constitutionalism solidifies into the more authoritarian “Dobbs Era.” In these early days of transition, states are still figuring out what they want the legal status of abortion to be, ever since Dobbs overruled both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, thus tossing the issue of abortion’s legality back to the states for …

Illness Stigma, Social Connectedness, And Health In People Living With Chronic Illness: A Structural Equation Model, Abigail Brooke Crawford

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The complexity of chronic or unexplained conditions may lead to potential stigma for those suffering long-term symptoms as they do not follow the expected pattern of recovery following diagnosis and treatment. Experiencing such illness-related stigma has potential for leading to a belongingness identity of detachment with implications for health across physical, social, and psychological dimensions. This study aimed to examine the relationship between stigma, social connection, mental health, physical health, and social functioning in a group of 231 participants with ongoing symptoms of chronic illness through structural equation modeling. The fit indices all suggest that the model reasonably fits the …

Early Screening For Depression In Adults With Diabetes In The Outpatient Setting, Chito A. Ezeobinwa, Dawn Stewart-Brown, Angela M. Toledo

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Diabetes can be an overly complicated chronic illness that not only affects a person's physical health but may additionally affect their mental well-being. Screening for depressive symptoms in individuals with diabetes in an endocrine office may be helpful in the early detection and treatment of depression in people diagnosed with type I and type II diabetes.

Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement (QI) project was to evaluate if administering the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) form to those who have type I or type II diabetes in an endocrinologist's office setting can help detect symptoms of depression …

The Potential Of Ketamine For Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Review Of Clinical Evidence, Anya Ragnhildstveit, Jeremy Roscoe, Lisa C Bass, Christopher L Averill, Chadi G Abdallah, Lynnette A Averill

Staff and Researcher Publications

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a devastating condition, for which there are few pharmacological agents, often with a delayed onset of action and poor efficacy. Trauma-focused psychotherapies are further limited by few trained providers and low patient engagement. This frequently results in disease chronicity as well as psychiatric and medical comorbidity, with considerable negative impact on quality of life. As such, off-label interventions are commonly used for PTSD, particularly in chronic refractory cases. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NDMA) receptor antagonist, has recently been indicated for major depression, exhibiting rapid and robust antidepressant effects. It also shows transdiagnostic potential for an …

Biological Embedding Of Early Trauma: The Role Of Higher Prefrontal Synaptic Strength, Amanda J F Tamman, Lihong Jiang, Christopher L Averill, Graeme F Mason, Lynnette A Averill, Chadi G Abdallah

Staff and Researcher Publications

Background: Early trauma predicts poor psychological and physical health. Glutamatergic synaptic processes offer one avenue for understanding this relationship, given glutamate's abundance and involvement in reward and stress sensitivity, emotion, and learning. Trauma-induced glutamatergic excitotoxicity may alter neuroplasticity and approach/avoidance tendencies, increasing risk for psychiatric disorders. Studies examine upstream or downstream effects instead of glutamatergic synaptic processes in vivo, limiting understanding of how trauma affects the brain.Objective: In a pilot study using a previously published data set, we examine associations between early trauma and a proposed measure of synaptic strength in vivo in one of the largest human …

Decision-Making Processes For Essential Packages Of Health Services: Experience From Six Countries, Rob Baltussen, Omar Mwalim, Karl Blanchet, Manuel Carballo, Getachew Teshome Eregata, Alemayehu Hailu, Maryam Huda, Mohamed Jama, Kjell Arne Johansson, Teri Reynolds

Community Health Sciences

Many countries around the world strive for universal health coverage, and an essential packages of health services (EPHS) is a central policy instrument for countries to achieve this. It defines the coverage of services that are made available, as well as the proportion of the costs that are covered from different financial schemes and who can receive these services. This paper reports on the development of an analytical framework on the decision-making process of EPHS revision, and the review of practices of six countries (Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan and Zanzibar-Tanzania).The analytical framework distinguishes the practical organization, fairness and institutionalization …

Country Readiness And Prerequisites For Successful Design And Transition To Implementation Of Essential Packages Of Health Services: Experience From Six Countries, Ala Alwan, Reza Majdzadeh, Gavin Yamey, Karl Blanchet, Alemayehu Hailu, Mohamed Jama, Kjell Arne Johansson, Mohammed Yusuf Ahmed Musa, Omar Mwalim, Sameen Siddiqi

Community Health Sciences

This paper reviews the experience of six low-income and lower middle-income countries in setting their own essential packages of health services (EPHS), with the purpose of identifying the key requirements for the successful design and transition to implementation of the packages in the context of accelerating progress towards universal health coverage (UHC). The analysis is based on input from three meetings of a knowledge network established by the Disease Control Priorities 3 Country Translation Project and working groups, supplemented by a survey of participating countries. All countries endorsed the Sustainable Development Goals target 3.8 on UHC for achievement by 2030. …